By Councillor Mumford - Edinburgh Council's Support for Peace and Justice in Palestine
“Council:
1) Notes that since the Council first declared its support for an immediate, bilateral ceasefire in December 2023;
a) The International Court of Justice has ordered Israel to refrain from any acts that could fall under the Genocide Convention and to ensure its troops commit no genocidal acts against Palestinians;
b) The Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court has filed for arrest warrants for senior figures in both Hamas and the Israeli Government including prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu;
c) Eight more UN member states have recognised the State of Palestine including Spain and Ireland, bringing the total number to 144;
2) Further notes
a) Public campaigns against corporations funding or supporting the ongoing military attacks on Palestine have successfully led to major cultural institutions cutting ties with these corporations, including The Edinburgh book festival, Edinburgh Pride, and music festivals across the UK;
b) In May, Edinburgh Council adopted an ethical advertising and sponsorship policy which precludes accepting advertising or sponsorship deals with arms manufacturers;
3) Finally:
a) notes recent research by Hope Not Hate suggesting that one in five teachers are seeing a negative impact on pupil wellbeing arising from issues related to the conflict, including a significant increase in antisemitic and Islamophobic incidents;
b) notes that a recent visit by the Israeli Ambassador to Edinburgh was cancelled after strong objections from members of the Jewish Community in Edinburgh;
Therefore, Council:
4) Reaffirms its call for an immediate ceasefire and unconditional release of all hostages held in Israel and Palestine;
5) Recognises our responsibility under the Genocide Convention to take all possible measures to ensure the Council is not providing support for states or corporations carrying out, legitimising or benefiting from acts of genocide;
6) Requests that this responsibility forms a core part of the discussions around the Council’s new procurement strategy, in addition to the previous decision of council that this should also include consideration of ethical procurement more generally;
7) Writes to the UK and Scottish Governments expressing:
a) Support for recognition of the State of Palestine and calling on the UK Government to recognise the State of Palestine, as our representative at the UN;
b) Support for the cases at the ICJ and ICC and calling on the UK government to provide support for them at the UN;
c) Support for an arms embargo, believing that neither government – being bound by the UK’s signature to the International Arms Trade Treaty - should be providing arms to Israel or financing arms manufacturers;
d) Support for all practical help that can be extended to Palestinians travelling to the UK and Scotland including visa schemes and financial support;
e) Our request that the Israeli Ambassador not be invited to Edinburgh until such time as the Jewish Community in Scotland withdraw their objections to her visits.
8) Writes to the Lothian Pension Fund requesting that they consider removing their investments from companies complicit in the bombardment and settlement of Occupied Palestinian Territories;
9) Creates a page on the website for people arriving to Edinburgh from Palestine setting out what support they are able to access;
10) Agrees that the Council’s communications channels should be used to promote donations to the dedicated funds established by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency to help those affected by the humanitarian crisis in Gaza;
11) Requests that the Slavery and Colonialism Legacy Review group consider investigating any links between Edinburgh and the displacement of Palestinian people as part of their work programme;
12) Requests that education officers contact headteachers to ask how Edinburgh’s schools are managing discussions around the conflict and asking if any additional support or resources are required, and that an update be provided to the next meeting of the Education, Children and Families Committee;
13) Requests the Council host a meeting within the next three months, inviting partners from Edinburgh Partnership, elected members, faith groups and relevant third sector organisations, to discuss and recommend practical solidarity actions that Edinburgh Council can take to reinforce this call and provide support for Palestinians in Scotland and overseas, recognising the constraints of Council resources.”